Michigan State alumni Look, Rison to be inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Former Michigan State football All-Americans Dean Look and Andre Rison will be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday.

Look and Rison, who are members of the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, will officially join the statewide hall of fame on Sept. 15 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. The 2017 class was selected by “a statewide, blue-ribbon group of veteran sports journalists, select college and professional sports administrators, MSHOF members, the MSHOF Board of Directors and also a public online vote,” according to a news release.

Among those joining the Michigan State alumni in the 2017 class: sportswriter Mitch Albom, former Tigers manager Jim Leyland, former Pistons star Dennis Rodman, and former Michigan “Fab Five” guard Jalen Rose.

“The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class is made up of household names and memorable contributors from the world of sports that have achieved prominence and represented their teams, schools and the State of Michigan,” MSHOF chairman Scott Lesher said in a statement. “This class’ prominence will be on full display at our annual Induction Event on Friday, Sept. 15, when it will be formally enshrined.”

Michigan State’s current representation in the MSHOF includes such legends as Duffy Daugherty, Kirk Gibson, Jud Heathcote, Mateen Cleaves and Tom Izzo.

A closer look at the two former Spartans in this year’s class:

Dean LookPosition: QuarterbackYears at Michigan State: 1957-59

Look’s college career began at halfback, where he rushed for 559 yards and 4 touchdowns during his first two seasons. In 1959 he switched to quarterback and threw for 785 yards and 9 touchdowns. He earned team MVP honors and was named an All-American.

Though he was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Broncos, Look opted to pursue a career in the other sport at which he excelled for Michigan State: baseball. He signed with the White Sox and played three games in 1961. He eventually became an NFL referee for 29 years.

Look will turn 80 in July.

Andre RisonPosition: Wide receiverYears at Michigan State: 1985-88

The Flint (Mich.) Northwestern star came to East Lansing and made an immediate impact. Rison appeared in 47 games over four seasons, racking up 2,992 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He was named an All-American as a senior.

Like Look, Rison was selected in the first round of the NFL draft. He played for seven teams over 12 seasons, winning a Super Bowl with the Packers and finishing his career with 10,205 receiving yards and 84 touchdowns. He picked up five Pro Bowl nods in his career.

Rison’s son, Hunter, will be a freshman wide receiver this fall for Michigan State.